"Green Tea vs. Black Tea: Unraveling the Health Benefits and Differences"

         

       Tea is the most preferred beverage worldwide after water. It's an aromatic drink prepared from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant by pouring hot water over cured or fresh leaves. This evergreen native shrub originates from East Asia and has its roots in southwestern China and northern Myanmar. Tea has been historically recognized in China for its existence since approximately 2700 BCE(1). Both green tea and black tea are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. "The main difference between green tea and black tea is their processing. Green tea is an unoxidized or minimally oxidized form of tea leaves, whereas black tea is fully oxidized. As a result, both teas differ in color profile and flavors(2,3)." 

Health benefits of green tea and black tea

        Both teas are rich in antioxidants, Green tea is known for a wide variety of health benefits in different ailments such as cancer, heart disease, and liver disease. Many of its health benefits are related to its compounds, particularly catechins. Studies show that catechins have potential benefits in treating human metabolism syndromes, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular risk factors. "Black tea also contains catechins, but it is not as rich in them as green tea. Moreover, high egcg(epigallocatechin-3-gallate) in green tea gives potential benefits for skin disease and cancer than black tea(2).

The caffeine content of green tea vs black tea

       The caffeine content in green tea is lower than that of black tea, with approximately 35 mg per 8-ounce (230-ml) cup for green tea, while black tea contains around 39–109 mg for the same serving size. If you prefer a little bit of caffeine in your diet, choose green tea is a better choice. Both teas contain caffeine and L-theanine. Caffeine acts as a mood enhancer, while L-theanine provides a state of relaxation combined with alertness." L-theanine is absent in coffee"(4,5,).

Taste and flavor of green tea and black tea

    Black tea has a stronger and bolder flavor, whereas green tea has a refreshing, delicate, and grassy flavor. Some people prefer to add milk and sugar to black tea, but it reduces the potential health-benefiting antioxidant. So, it's better to opt for a healthier option.

Which one is good for weight loss?

    "It has long been believed that green tea has more potential benefits than black tea in weight loss, but recent studies also show that black tea has equal potential benefits as green tea in weight loss(7)."

Types of tea

    "There is a wide range of green tea varieties, exceeding 1500 in number, including Sencha, Matcha, Long Jing, Genmaicha, Bancha, Gyokuro, Mao Feng, and Kusmi. whereas black tea Assam tea, Darjeeling tea, Munnar tea, Keemun tea, Earl Grey tea, Yunnan tea, and Nilgiri tea are among the various varieties present. The types of tea are relevant to the region where they were cultivated.

How to make the perfect brew recipe for green tea and black tea?

    To make the perfect brew, the quality of tea leaves or bags, as well as storage, are very important. "The optimal water temperature for black tea is between 90°C to 98°C, while for green tea, it should be around 80°C. It is recommended to read and follow the instructions provided on the packaging for the best brewing results(6)."

The bottom line 

    Each variety possesses unique potential health benefits and characteristics. The choice between green and black tea depends on individual preferences and desired health advantages.